Churchfields and Balgowan Primary Schools

[MrsMummy120]

Hi

We are about to make choices on primary schools, just wondered if any of you have children who go to Churchfields or Balgowan and if you're happy with the school? We really liked Churchfields from what we saw on open days, although Balgowan seems to be more popular and we wonder why. Both are ranked as good by Ofsted.

Thanks in advance
Anna

[Melworldwide]

Hello! Actually we moved out of the area after a year and a half at Churchfields. And due to covid, our son was only there a few terms! We moved for non-school reasons.
what I would say is that Churchfields is a good school, great teachers and very nice school community. It is definitely a broader demographic and in my opinion generally more diverse school than Balgowan (Based on a single visit to Balgowan!) which is slap bang in the middle of the most affluent part of clockhouse. For us this was the reason we chose it. Balgowan is also really really huge, although Churchfields was moving to 3 form entry at the time we left. The rubbish tip next door isn’t the best but I think the outside space and school field is really lovely and offsets it.. a bit.
I think the catchment really shrank for churchfields, and Balgowan still had spaces left so churchfields was on the up.
But- both schools are really good. Hope that helps!

[carbibarbie]

@Melworldwide what did you decide? We are now in the same position.

[Melworldwide]

OP what did you decide in the end? We are in the same dilemma as you were!

[Andcake]

I know a number of people with children at churchfields who love it.
We looked round balgowen...not to everyone's taste and I believe the head has changed a few times recently.
Really have a look around both.

[OrlandaFuriosa]

I don’t any longer but my neighbours, friends and colleagues do. Churchfields has had a more chequered history and I would guess its demographic covers a broader base than Balgowan’s. In our day the latter was coasting but I’m not sure that’s true any more. I’ve met children who are happy and those who are unhappy at both, ditto parents.